Declining fetal growth standards in Enugu, Nigeria

Objective: To compare the birth-weights of babies born before and after the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Program in Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the birth-weights of all singleton live births at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Eastern Nigeria, in 1984 and 1998. Results: The babies were on average 183 g lighter in 1998 than in 1984. The mean birth-weight for each gestational age, parity and fetal sex was significantly lower in 1998 than in 1984. The incidences of low birth-weight, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery were significantly higher in 1998 than in 1984. The above findings were associated with a significant reduction in the mean gestational age, parity and utilization of the hospital’s maternity services, probably consequences of an adverse socio-economic environment. Conclusion: Reversing the declining growth standards of Nigerian fetuses would entail improving the socio-economic status of Nigerian women as well as the quality of maternity care.